The Apley Fishing Book dating from 1931 is a fascinating read for anyone interested in fishing, Shropshire’s rivers, water quality, water conditions, fish stocks, water levels or local history. It includes this photo of Norman Sharpe, gamekeeper at the time, with a huge salmon.

Norman’s son Ted Sharpe has published his father’s memoirs in a book called Apley Hall: The Golden Years of a Sporting Estate. Click here for a copy.

By chance, Sam @ Hop & Stagger Brewery (based over the fields from Apley Farm Shop) emailed me this morning about the naming & labelling of 3 new beers they’re making especially for Apley Farm Shop, so I sent her a few archive images like these from the fish book. The beer names may refer to the Gamekeeper, the Head Gardener & the Ploughman – tbc.